It needs to be said that this story is best read after Stacia’s other series (this court so cruel and lovely) I haven’t finished that one (only read the first two books so far). You can read this as a separate story though but I did feel like I’ve missed some parts from the past of the MC’s. They have met before this book.

I think that could be why I felt that there was something missing in the first half of the book. But it was still good enough for me to continue. I actually really started liking the second part and by the end I was invested. Now I’m looking forward too the next installment.

But as I said I think you will enjoy this more if you have read the first series.

I listen to this as an audiobook and really liked it that way. It was dual pov’s and both actors did a great job.

I absolutely loved this book. Stacia writes such brilliantly complex characters that emotionally wreck me in the best way every time. The world building is in depth and immersive without ever feeling like a giant lore dump.

While it's not necessary to read the Kingdom of Lies series to enjoy and understand this, it is one of my absolute favorites so I recommend it and it definitely adds to the fun. I loved Madinia in the original books and love her even more now.

I'm going to be thinking about the last 10% of this book until the next one comes out.

As for the audiobook, I'm so glad it was the same narrators as the Kingdom of Lies series. It was truly a delight having the same voices for these characters again. I love Meg's voice for Madinia so much. The audio quality was great.

Thanks to Stacia Stark for the ARC!

6/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2/5🌶️🌶️

What to Expect:
🌹Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Rivals to Lovers
🌹One Bed 🛏️
🗡️Touch Her & 💀
🌹Dual POV
🗡️Spin-off from Kingdom of Lies
🌹SLOW BURN
🗡️Forced Proximity

From the very first page, This Vicious Dream had me in an absolute MONSTER CHOKEHOLD!!!! Madinia’s story kicks off with intensity and never once lets up with the DRAMA. She’s no different from KOL, STRONG, smart, guarded, and refuses to be anyone’s pawn, which made her inner turmoil and growing vulnerability all the more gut-wrenching to witness… desperately afraid for her downfall. The story throws her straight into forced proximity with Calysian—that GORGEOUS God with secrets, power, and an infuriating amount of patience (especially when it comes to breaking down Madinia’s walls—and the sparks between them are ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. Their tension is deliciously slow burn, packed with tons of flirty banter, betrayal, and so many moments that had me shouting at the page.

I am a sucker for Dual POV, and this story was NOOO DIFFERENT—it made every twist more personal, every betrayal hit harder, and every stolen glance between Madinia and Calysian ten times more devastating. Their dynamic is THE perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers chaos and that soft, aching longing that wrecks you slowly (**cough slow burn alert!**). Watching Calysian go from calculated and cold to a complete RIDE-OR-DIE protector had me WEAKKKKK. And Madinia? She’s the embodiment of feminine rage and resilience, clawing her way through impossible choices with a fire that could level kingdoms.

And that ending?! I needed book two as soon as the last word finished. Like NOW. That cliffhanger absolutely SHATTERED MY SOUL, and I’m still spiraling. Stacia Stark is seriously a QUEEN!!! Whether you’re new to her world or a returning fan from the Kingdom of Lies series, this one stands on its own and absolutely delivers. I do suggest reading Kingdom of Lies BEFORE this one, as there is background you probably will want before diving into this one, however… it is NOT required… you might just have a few hmmm… moments.

A HUGE thank you to Dreamscape Media, Netgalley, and the AMAZING Stacia Stark for gifting me with this amazing ALC! The voice actors were EVERYTHING. They brought so much depth and emotion to the story through the audio, and it just made every single action hit that much harder. I am so grateful for this one and I ran SOOO fast to get a physical copy after finishing this!!! SHELF TROPHY for the win!

Short synopsis: Madinia is imprisoned in a tower surrounded by thorns, rescued by Calysian who is looking for the hidden grimmour.

My thoughts: After finishing, I discovered this is a spinoff of another series “Kingdom of Lies,” I plan on going back and reading that series. But I feel like I kept up just fine starting here.

I loved the power that Medinia had in this book, she was feared by so many and stood her ground despite the imprisonment she experienced. I loved the tension and banter between her and Calysian, their rivals to lovers chemistry was top notch.

This is an action packed book, from start to finish. Epic battles, journey through swamps and forests, and a hunt for a grimoire that Madinia has sworn to protect.

I listened to part of this on audio and the dual narration really amplified for banter and chemistry of the characters.

Read if you love:
* Forced Proximity
* Epic journey
* Slow burn
* Feisty FMC
* Only one bed

I really enjoyed listening to this. It was quite an easy listen and with good narration and a plot that had good pace and depth.

I liked the characters and the build up for the 2nd book as there is more to explore in this novel but I found it a fun listen with a bit of spice.

The romance itself could have been more intense considering the plot and I'm hoping this will develop within book 2 which I will very much watch out for and give a listen.

This Vicious Dream was a dark and gripping fantasy romance that pulled me in from the start. Stacia Stark has created a richly layered world filled with high stakes, slow-burning tension, and complex characters you can’t help but root for—even when they’re morally gray.

The heroine is fierce but vulnerable, and her chemistry with the love interest is electric. The banter and emotional depth between them really stood out. There’s a nice balance between the romantic elements and the overarching fantasy plot, which kept things moving at a solid pace.

As for the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job. Their performance brought the story to life, adding nuance and emotion to even the quiet moments. The delivery was clear, and the character voices were distinct enough to follow easily.

If you're looking for a fabulous dual POV romantasy with both MCs being morally grey, then look no further. Having not read her first series, I had no idea this was a part of that world, but now I want to go back and read that series! Madinia and Calysean (probably spelled that wrong - I listened to this) are enemies for a looooong time before the lovers part comes in. The tension and angst were positively delicious! And that ending.... I can't wait for the next book!!

I really enjoyed This Vicious Dream. From the very beginning, the book pulled me in with its sharp dialogue and incredible character banter. It is some of the best I have ever read and made each interaction feel alive and engaging. Every character brought something special to the story and I found myself genuinely liking all of them which is rare.

That said the middle section did start to drag a bit. The adventures began to feel repetitive and the pacing slowed down. It seemed like the characters were going through similar motions without much new development. However the final part of the book picked up again in a big way. The ending not only delivered on action and emotion but also helped tie together earlier elements of the plot that had felt a little unclear.

Overall this was a great read. The strong characters and fantastic banter made it easy to stay invested even when the story hit a lull. I would definitely recommend it and I am excited to see where the story goes next.

Oh. My. God. I absolutely loved this audiobook. I hadn’t originally realised this was a spin-off to another series, however i got the gist of what was happening pretty quickly.

The chemistry between Madinia and Calysian was extremely well written, and I loved how strong Madinia’s character was.

Another amazing thing about This Vicious Dream is the very unexpected plot twists. When I tell you my jaw DROPPED at a certain point…

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC, all opinions are my own. I can’t wait for book 2.

This Vicious Dream - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 highly recommend! (Rounded up to 5 stars for review purposes, where half star not available)

It felt SO GOOD to be back in the same world as the Kingdom of Lies series. While this is a new standalone series, I would certainly recommend reading Kingdom of Lies first, as it gives so much back story and there are quite a lot of references to that content (plus it's a top tier series so everyone should read it!)

Madinia and Calysian are so swoon worthy, perfect enemies to lovers, the tropes are all so good. The banter is perfect, the tension will leave you a little giddy, and the 🌶️ is very well written, and not too overdone.

The cliffhanger left me shocked and I cannot wait for the next book!!.

The queen of cliffhangers leaves me speechless again. I'm left with more questions than answers with mixed emotions. I absolutely love Medina but I am unsure about the MMC. The storyline was intricate and kept me glued to the book. The pace and flow are done well with not alot of unnecessary filler. The audio was done well with a good cadence and noticeable difference in the characters that allowed me.to clearly know who was talking. I hope she releases the next book soon cause the wait is going to e torture to find out what happens.

I LOOVVVEEED this audiobook! Their voices were amazing !

The story itself is absolutely 5 stars!

I need more!

Being able to say hello again to Madinia is a dream come true. She quickly became my favorite side character after Priscia saved her in the Kingdom of Lies series. She's a witty woman who takes what she deserves. This book drops you in the middle of a pirate ship battle in attempts to protect Madinia from the wrong people gaining the location of the grimoire. I feel like the first half of the book was a little slow, but once the halfway point hit, it was all hands on deck, full speed ahead! The plot twists had me internally screaming almost nonstop.

While this book is set in the same world as the Kingdom of Lies, you aren't required to read the series first. However, in my opinion, reading the Kingdom of Lies makes the later half of the book SO MUCH JUICIER. You get to experience all the raw emotions Madinia experiences at the same time.

“As you die, your last thought will be this; harming Madinia Farrow was the biggest mistake of your life.”

I feel like I need 7 to 10 business days to process, but I also know that even though I only give out a 5 star review once or twice a year… this one’s for @staciastarkauthor and This Vicious Dream

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was perfection. Madinia was one of my favorite characters from the Kingdom of Lies series and I always looked forward to her POV chapters. Getting to read a book primarily from her POV was a treat - I loved getting to see a softer side of our sassy FMC and am so happy with this book overall. The attention to detail and consistency in Stacia’s storytelling is top tier and she makes you feel so many things.

The tension and the yearning between our FMC and MMC is 👩‍🍳 💋 and Calysian may have just made his way into my top five book boyfriends.

Notable Tropes/Themes (that won’t spoil anything):
- One Horse
- One Bed
- They save each other
- Strong FMC
- Fae, Half Fae, Humans, and Gods
- He carries her when she is injured
- Open Door
- Betrayal
- Friendship
- and so many other key things that I want to share but don’t want to spoil 😂

In terms of the narration, I love both Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige, however part of me wishes that different voice actors were chosen. My reason for this is that I listened to the Kingdom of Lies books on audio, and Meg and Tim use the same voices to voice Prisca and Lorian for Madinia and Calysian, despite voicing them differently in the Kingdom of Lies series.

I devoured Stacia’s Kingdom of Lies series earlier this year and I couldn’t wait to read her shared world spin-off. This world quickly became one of my new Roman Empires, and this book was nothing short of outstanding. Madinia is one of those characters that you can’t help but root for, and I needed more of her story. I love her sass, her feminine rage, the way her brain works. I was so curious about Calysian's back story, and could not wait to find out. There was so much action, I couldn’t put the book down or stop listening. The audio by Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige had me so entranced. I tandem read/listened. Stacia had me hooked from the very first to the very last line and I am absolutely FERAL for the next book!!!!

"𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓼 𝓘 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓮𝓻𝓬𝔂. 𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓼 𝓘 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓪𝓽 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓽. 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽. 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭. 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓼𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓼𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓭. 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽."

𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓥𝓲𝓫𝓮𝓼:
🥀 Dark Romantasy
🥀 Rivals to Lovers
🥀 Reluctant Allies
🥀 Feminine Rage
🥀 Fierce & Fiesty FMC
🥀 Ruthless Game of Cat & Mouse
🥀 Forced Proximity
🥀 Found Family
🥀 Duology
🥀 One Bed / One Horse
🥀 “Who Hurt You?”
🥀 She Saves Herself 👏🏼

“𝓘'𝓶 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮, 𝓜𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓲𝓪, 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽... 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭𝓼 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮."

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️


This was a great start to the series! This is a dual POV with a lot of new world building on top of the already established world from Kingdom of Lies. Stacia should teach a master class on character development, because she made me CARE (seriously, note the emphasis on care) about these characters (and about the horses, I would 💀 for Fox and Hope).


“You will take me and beg for more” 😳

“Her hair is tousled, her skin flushed with sleep, and when she leans forward to press a gentle kiss to my chest. I almost claw through my skin, crack open my ribs, and hand her my beating heart.” 😮‍💨



Noteable Tropes —

🔥Enemies (ehhh sort of) to Lovers
🔥 “Who did this to you?!”
🔥 One Horse
🔥 Feminine Rage
🔥 One bathtub
🔥 Talking animal side character
🔥 Touch her and ✨unalive✨
🔥 Concept of soulmates
🔥 Tall, dark, & morally gray MMC



A huge thank you to the author of the hour: Stacia Stark! This Vicious Dream releases on May 13, 2025 and I was lucky enough to be granted an ALC to listen and give my honest review. Thank you also to Dreamscape Media!

(I was gifted a copy of this book from the author, but the review is my own)

This book ran the gambit of emotions: trauma, feelings of unworthiness, hope, desperation, safety, and reluctant romantic feelings. Stacia made you feel them all, not just for the character, but being able to relate because the feelings are ones we all struggle with. The amount of times I looked like an idiot because as I was listening to this book I was either chuckling or full on laughing out loud due to the banter or the knowing looks, the antics these characters got up to were really enjoyable. I wasn't expecting to laugh as much as I did. The twists and turns had me all over the place, but I enjoyed every second and I cannot wait for the next book!

WOWWWWW. Madinia Farrow has always been a favorite. Truly. BUT THIS BOOK? She’s been bumped up to a favorite up with Prisca and Lorian. I loved Kingdom of Lies and I just know Kingdom of Death is going to ruin me. Calysian always was a wild card and had a “je ne sais pas quoi” feel to him even in the previous series. He was drawn to her and that’s solidified from HIS POV in this book. I so appreciate Stacia’s writing and how well she pushed the narrative. Learning more about the dark god in Madinia’s POV was a very tactical ploy and I hate Aemond. Period. He could have given her access to the memories at any time and while I understood his part, Madinia brought specific points to herself. I love the reincarnation piece, I adore the fact that he is the other piece to his soul and of course there’s a hag who wants him forever at every cost. Knowing Madinia has been angry in all her lives stemming from her first life is WILD and amazing. Highly highly highly recommend. I was blessed with the audio, but I 100% recommend the novel and audio because wow. READ THIS BOOK!

✨Tropes✨
⭐️ Rivals to Lovers
🌙 Reluctant Allies
💫 Slow Burn
⭐️ Found Family
🌙 Feminine Rage
💫 Forced Proximity

I was provided an audio of This Vicious Dream through Netgalley and Dreamscape media

I was really excited to get more Medinia and Calysians story! this could be it's own book series but i would recommend starting with Kingdom of Lies. This story picks up 3 years after the war.

Medinia is being held captive because of her knowledge of the grimoire to reshape the world. Calysian "rescues" her only to make her his captive as he is seeking the grimoires as well.

book 1 held a lot of promise. I really enjoyed getting to know both characters and I can't wait to see where this story goes and what others of Medinia's friends from Kingdom of Lies will play a part.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, Stacia Stark has done it again! I inhaled This Vicious Dream in a day, and let me tell you, it blew me away! I don't even know how to unpack what I just read; it was that good.

Madinia is back and out for vengeance after being cut off from the world for several years. She doesn't expect to hook up with the mysterious Calysian or discover their paths intertwine.

Stacia intricately weaves so many intrinsic details through the storyline, and as they came to light, I was begging for more!

The ending...Ahhhh! I cannot wait to see where book two in this duology leads. I NEED This Ancient Feud STAT!

NOTE: I read the eARC first but jumped at the opportunity to listen to an ELC of the audiobook, too. Meg Sylvan and Tim Paige are phenomenal, and their narration adds nuance to the story, which drew me in even deeper, even though I'd already read the book. It's so well done!